Lenovo IdeaPad - Windows Deactivated

Gavin "shels"

I purchases a laptop 4 years through laptopsdirect.ie. Last week, my laptop booted and cut out (as if the battery was dead). Since then it's been fine, I ran some disk checks, etc... and checked the event viewer but nothing of note I could see.

Since the cut happened, my Windows 8.1 has requested Activation. When I purchased it, it was preinstalled with no disc.

I have contacted LaptopsDirect, they advised me to contact Lenovo and they have now advised me to contact Microsoft... so getting no where there.

Any suggestions?

MarkR

Any product key on the base? Or in battery compartment?

MarkR

If you don't, and it came preinstalled, I would back up any imporant data you have to a external hard drive, and perform a factory reset.

This may help.

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/4-ways-factory-reset-windows-computer/

Particularly this section “Refresh” or “Reset” Windows 8

degsie

Just call Microsoft, it's an automated system.

Gavin "shels"

MarkR wrote: »

Any product key on the base? Or in battery compartment?

Nothing.

MarkR wrote: »

If you don't, and it came preinstalled, I would back up any imporant data you have to a external hard drive, and perform a factory reset.

This may help.

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/4-ways-factory-reset-windows-computer/

Particularly this section “Refresh” or “Reset” Windows 8

I went to Refresh my Windows.

"Insert Media. Some files are missing. Your Windows installation or recovery media will provide these files"

degsie wrote: »

Just call Microsoft, it's an automated system.

Called and they couldn't get the Product ID from my PC.


Looks like a fresh install of Windows over the weekend....

Cheers all.

MarkR

Can you boot to the recovery partition? Try turning it off, and tapping F11 as it boots.

TallGlass

Have you tried activating via the system properties menu, it asks you to sign into Windows and you'll hopefully be asked to pick up Windows key from what's available.

Gavin "shels"

MarkR wrote: »

Can you boot to the recovery partition? Try turning it off, and tapping F11 as it boots.

Will give it a try, thanks.

TallGlass wrote: »

Have you tried activating via the system properties menu, it asks you to sign into Windows and you'll hopefully be asked to pick up Windows key from what's available.

Tried that - getting Error code: 0x8007007B

yoyo

Gavin shels wrote: »

Will give it a try, thanks.



Tried that - getting Error code: 0x8007007B

According to Microsoft support it seems your license needs activation via an organization key server. If it's a business machine it should activate next time you logon to the domain

Gavin "shels"

yoyo wrote: »

According to Microsoft support it seems your license needs activation via an organization key server. If it's a business machine it should activate next time you logon to the domain

Nope, just a local laptop in my bedroom - no domain or server.

If memory serves me right, I think I may have went from Windows 8 to 8.1 due to some free upgrade offer which could explain why it's a generic key? Not too sure and Lenovo have avoided me.

shanec1928

Gavin shels wrote: »

Nope, just a local laptop in my bedroom - no domain or server.

If memory serves me right, I think I may have went from Windows 8 to 8.1 due to some free upgrade offer which could explain why it's a generic key? Not too sure and Lenovo have avoided me.

Thats probably what it was as it was different licence keys from 8 to 8.1. you should be able to pick up a cheap key from the likes of reddit

yoyo

Gavin shels wrote: »

Nope, just a local laptop in my bedroom - no domain or server.

If memory serves me right, I think I may have went from Windows 8 to 8.1 due to some free upgrade offer which could explain why it's a generic key? Not too sure and Lenovo have avoided me.

I'd contact Microsoft about the issue, sounds like whatever the Windows upgrade did it converted your license to a corporate one. Hopefully they'll help you sort it!